About Translation of Wonder

In Translation of Wonder, poet Tim Bete reflects on the life of Jesus through the Mysteries of the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross. Through 34 poems that encompass the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries, as well as the Stations, Bete presents a poetic journey from the Annunciation to the Crowning of Mary in Heaven. These poems are perfect as reflections while praying the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross, or can be read consecutively as a meditation on Jesus' entire life.

Reviews

“Tim Bete's Translation of Wonder makes the life of Christ, indeed, the very person of Christ, almost touchably close. The wonder of this collection of prayer-poems is, for me, not only what happens when I read and pray with these poems, but what happens to me when I close the book and return to daily life. I find that I'm not the same person; I have been changed. This book is something to treasure.”

— Johanna Caton, OSB, Benedictine nun, poet, and Pushcart Prize nominee

“Bravo! Bete sustains a strong voice throughout, but also a flexible one, moving easily between awe, ease, and even dashes of humor (I love the idea of a wet Trinity). He walks a wonderful line between heightened language and maintaining an invitation to the poetry-shy reader.”

— Jeffrey Essman, award-winning poet and editor, The Catholic Poetry Room

“This book will be a great aid to many in meditating on Our Lord, Our Lady, and the Gospel. Bete's insights and command of the theology behind the events manifest a rich and deep spiritual life and a man who is well acquainted with contemplation and Our Lord.”

—Deacon Rusty Baldwin, OCDS, author of the From The Heart Homily Book Series

About the author

Tim Bete, OCDS, is editor emeritus of the Catholic Poetry Room. This book is his third poetry collection, following The Raw Stillness of Heaven and Wanderings of an Ordinary Pilgrim. His poetry has also been published in Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry, Mount Carmel magazine, Apostolate of the Little Flower magazine, and by the Semi-Province of St. Thérèse of the Discalced Carmelite Friars.

Tim is a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, where he has served as a Formator, on Council, and as President. He was co-chair of the 2018 National OCDS Congress, held in Columbus, Ohio. He has been a speaker on the topic of poetry and its role in faith on the Carmelite Conversations Podcast, the Catholic Imagination Conference, and in news stories published by the Catholic News Agency.

Mentioned in the book

Other poetry books

The Raw Stillness of Heaven: A Poetry Collection

Through poems about prayer, conversion, and faith, Tim shares his search for God—a search that is common to each of us. Somewhere in the intersection of holy silence and the struggles of daily life, God appears: in a winter evening walk, in the smell of incense at church, in a blue patio chair, in the Sacrament of Confession. More than a collection of poems, this book is a prayer journal—a glimpse into the faith journey of the poet.

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Wanderings of an Ordinary Pilgrim: A Poetry Collection

When on a pilgrimage with his family, Tim decided not to take along a camera but rather a notebook. He jotted down thoughts, ideas, and images that struck him while traveling through Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we meet God as much on the road as at our destination. This book of poetry will provide an experience of our most loving God, who is even more excited about journeying to us than we are to Him.

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